Ollie Gordon Given Chance to Repeat as Part of the Doak Walker Award Watch List
STILLWATER – After winning the Doak Walker Award in 2023, Ollie Gordon II is on the watch list for the 2024 trophy, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum released today.
With 87 total players featured, Gordon is one of six returning award semifinalists included on the list. He is seeking to join Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon and Texas' Ricky Williams as the only two-time recipients of the award after becoming just the fourth sophomore to ever win it in 2023. Gordon was the first Doak Walker Award winner in Oklahoma State history following finalist appearances by Chuba Hubbard and Kendall Hunter in 2019 and 2010, respectively.
In addition to winning the Doak Walker Award, Gordon's 2023 campaign saw him lead the nation in rushing yards and receive unanimous All-America honors, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and more Heisman Trophy votes than any other running back.
Gordon was also the national leader in yards from scrimmage (2,062), 100-yard games (9), 150-yard games (5), 250-yard games (2), second-half rushing yards (1,096), second-half rushing touchdowns (15), fourth-quarter rushing yards (581), fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns (9) and carries of at least 20 yards (21), 30 yards (14), 40 yards (7), and 70 yards (2). He was also second in rushing touchdowns (21), total touchdowns (22), rushing yards after contact (1,056 via PFF) and all-purpose yards (2,062). Additionally, Gordon was the only FBS player to average more than six yards per carry while rushing the ball over 20 times per game.
His performances against Kansas, West Virginia and Cincinnati made him the only FBS player the past 10 years with 250 scrimmage yards in three straight games, and his 282 rushing yards against the Mountaineers were the most by any FBS player all season long.
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name three finalists in November and the recipient of the 2024 trophy will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 12.